Anti-marijuana lawmaker arrested for pot

A New York State Assembly Republican, who voted against medical marijuana as a member of the Alcohol and Drug Use Committee, was arrested Thursday for possession of marijuana.

Assemblyman Steve Katz was pulled over for driving 80 miles an hour on the New York State Thruway when the ticketing trooper smelled another offense.

Assemblyman Steve Katz. Albany Times Union photo

“After noting the odor of marijuana, a New York State Trooper found Katz in possession of a small bag of marijuana,” police said in a release.

Assemblyman Katz put out a statement saying that he “will not let this incident impede my public service and my calls for real mandate relief, a better economic climate and better services for those in need in New York,” adding, “I am confident that once the facts are presented, this will quickly be put to rest.”

Katz is a veterinarian by profession. The Albany Times Union noted a previous arrest for depositing a dead dog in a dumpster, and for allegedly harming a “feisty Chihuahua” during an examination.

Possession and growing of marijuana remain illegal under the federal Controlled Substances Act. More than a dozen states have voted to legalize medical marijuana in one form or another. Washington and Colorado voted in November to legalize and tax the growing and sale of marijuana to adults.

Over 40 years ago, under then-Gov. Nelson Rockefeller, New York passed some of America’s most draconian drug possession laws, which have been applied mainly to minority youth. Repeal and/or modification of the laws has been a major political issue in the state.